Differential mechanism



DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISH Filed Oct. 29. .1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IHMMM rwcnfoz Oct. 7, 1930. F. w. sEEcK DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISM K Find oct. 29, 1927 l sheets-sheen 2 Oct. 7, 1930. F. w. SEECK 1,777,702

DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISM Filed Oct. 29, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. aw. sEEcK DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISM Filed oat. `29, 1927 4 Sheng-Sheet. 4

410 ly simple and durable,

vide an improved 30 jacent edges of the casing halves,

45 ing parts and UNIflED STATES PATENT oFncE FERDINAND 'W'. SEEGK, 0F LEBANON, OREGON DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISMI Application iiled IOctober 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,607.

1 My invention relates to gearless differential mechanisms and is an improvement of a gearless differential mechanism described in patents numbered 1,278,231 and 1,467 ,560,

5 issued to me September 10, 1,918, and Septem-` ber 11, '1923, respectively.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide an 4improved compact gearless differential mechanism which is relativeand which is adapted to be' more economically manufactured and assembled than vthe differential mechanism described in my former patent.

Another object of my invention is to progearless'differential which maybe assembled at the factory and shipped, to ybe readily installed on a motor vehiclel -as va substitute for'its original gear differential.

A further object of my invention is to providelarge bearing surfaces withinand without the differential casing in order that the casing may be strengthened and with its enclosed mechanism mounted on anti-friction bearings within the differential housing of a motor vehicle as constructed to contain a gear differential. Y

`A still further object of my invention is to provide a divided casing for my differential mechanism provided with flanges onthe adby which the said casing halves may bebolted together and to which the usual ring gear may also be fastened. y

I- attain these and the other incidental objects in a differential mechanism comprising a divided driven casing the casing arts provided with abutting companion fildnges for assembly and a ring gear secured to one of the casing parts. The casing parts jare also formed 'with annular flanges about their eyes,

providing internal and external extensions of its journal bearingsurfaces 'and annular eccentric elements recessed on one lside to' receive said internal annular ianges ofthe casanti-friction bearings mounted on said external flanges.

The details of construction and `mode of operation of my invention will 'be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

, 'bearing rin elevation, of my improved differential the 1n section to disclose the mechanism contained therein; y

Fig. 2 shows a section taken onthe line 2-2 of Fig.`1 looking in the direction of the arrows, but with the divided axle removed and illustrates the relative arrangement of the various` parts;

Fig. 3 shows a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the ldirection of the arrows, and illustrates further details of construction; v Fig. 4 shows a section taken on the 'line H of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows,\with parts removed to illustrate the relative lposition of the l.annular eccentric member; i

' Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of the casing an-d illustrates how its two parts are bolted to ether;

ig.' 6 shows a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of my differentialadapted to have a spiral gear bolted between the ilanges, one casing art being removed to disclose the inner meclanism Fi 8 shows aside elevation of my diiierentialmechanism, illustrating further details of this modification of the casing;

Fig. 9 shows the inside of one casing part and the various parts therein;

fFig. v10 shows a view similar to Fig. 9 `except that one of the annulareccentric elements have been removed to disclose further details of construction;

Fig. 11 shows a section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 8 with the gear removed and illustrates the details of construction;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show elevations of one of the bearing rings of my differential, Fig. v13 being shown in a section taken online 13-13 of Fig. 12-

Figs. 15, 16, and 17 show elevations of one of the annular eccentric elements with the s mountedin place on it;

Fig. 18 s ows-diagramatically a modification of my differential, in which the transverse member and transmission members halve been simplified;

- installed in Fig. 19 shows a section taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18, looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrates the details of construction;

Fig. 20 shows a section taken on the line 20--20 of Fig. 18 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrates further details of construction;

Fig. 21 shows a section taken on -the line 21-21 of Fig. 20, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 22 shows a section taken on theline 22-22 of Fig. 21 looking in the 'direction of the arrows.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 5, my imroved gearless differential as adapted to be the usual differential housing, comprises a casing a of two parts a and a2 provided with peripheral flanges b and o, respectively. y The flange b is formed of substantial thickness and is provided with lbolt holes b. ring` gear e 1s fastened by means of rivets e inserted through alternate holes to the outside of the said flange. The flange c comprises a number of ears provided with holes c', which project beyond the periphery of the casing part a2 and are spaced so as to register with the other alternate holes of the flange b. The casing parts are then fastened together with bolts d inserted thru the latter alternate holes. Raised portions b2 are provided on the flange b corresponding to the ears of the lange c, to strengthenthe flange .b and permit the bolts d to be threaded into the said holes without the use of nuts on their ends.

The casing a is also provided with lubricant circulation hole p.

The ring gear e is adapted to, mesh with a pinion gear not shown in the drawings which is affixed in the usual manner to the drive shaft of a motor vehicle.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I show a slight modification of the casing in which the casing arts a3 and a* are provided with similar an es b3 and c3 and a spiral ring gear e2 is bo ted between them, by bolts d which also serve to fasten the casing parts together. This form is adapted for motor trucks and the like, where spiral gears are used in the place ofbevel gears.

The casing parts in both forms are provided with central eyes j about which internal annular flanges flanges Z are formed. The external-ilanges serve to provide a bearing surface on which anti-friction bearings may be mounted, for the rotation of the casing within the differential housing.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 and 12 to 417, a transverse member f is connected at each end to the casing halves in recesses h formed in the edges of the said casing parts. The member f is provided with a central hole frfor the circulation of lubricant and k and external similarV with bi-symetrical flanges g about each side of the hole f', but spaced therefrom forming a recess. lThe ends are milled to fit closely in the recesses h, and are provided with holes h through which twoof the bolts d will be inserted. The member f is alsotapered somewhat, outwardly from the flanges g as at z', toward the milled ends, and the sides normal to the flange g are rounded.

As before described, the member f is fixed to and rotates with the casing a.

Semi-circular transmission members 2 and 3 are provided formed with convex inner surfaces and concave outer surfaces. The two transmission members are identical in form except the member 3 is smaller.

The members 2 and 3 are formed with circular centrall portions 2 and 3a respectively and with holes 2b and 3* in their centers which serve no purpose except to permit the circulation of lubricant.

Two sets of the transmission members are provided, the member 3 which is smaller is arranged within the semi-circle of the larger, and each set is adapted to be arranged on the opposite sides of the member f, the central portion 3 of the member 3 bearing on the outer surface of the flanges g, and the extremities of both members which are convex bearing against the rounded sides'z of the member.

Two double eccentric ,elements 5 'are provided adapted to be seated at their outed ends for rotation in the leyes j and the internal flanges Ic of their respective casing parts, and at their other ends within the flanges g of the member f. The doublel eccentric elements comprise a central annular portion 7 rovided with internal splines 8, in which the ivided axles 11 are fastened and concave portions 9 formed eccentrically about the said annular portion 7 and a larger concave eccentric portion 10 integral therewith, but with its eccentricity at an angle of rather less than ninety degrees to the smaller eccentric ortion. A semi-circular recess 12 is formed etween the annular portion 7 and the eccentric portions 9 in which the internal annular flange k of the casing is received.

Two'sets of bearing rings are provided, each set comprising a large ring 21 and a similar small ring 20, which are concavoconvex, the smaller ring being arranged concentrically within the larger, and each set is adapted to be arranged about a double eccentric member, the` larger ring bearing on the eccentric portion 9 andthe smaller on the eccentric portion 10 and between the said double eccentric member and the transmission members 2 and 3. Opposite semi-eircularnotches 22 and 23, are provided in the said rings, respectively, in which the peripheries of the circular portions 2n and 3 of the. transmission members 2 and 3 bear.

In the operation of my differential lwhen v provided .wth eccentric both wheels of a motor vehicle are turning at the same rate, the casing and theenclosed mechanism will rotate with the divided axle shaft as a unit.

In the ordinary 'gear differential, power 4 always given to the wheel having the least resistance from the road surface, i. e., the

poorest traction and if one Wheel has no resistance the car will not be given a forward motion. l

However, in my differential, if one wheel receives less effective traction than the other,

an'd tends to turn more rapidly, theeccentric member of that wheel will wedge the transmission members tightly against the case a, and against theother eccentric element, thus power will be transmitted to the wheel reeeiving the most effective traction. 1/

It can be easily understood that if the difference in the effective traction of wheels is very slight. the friction of the transmission members will be slight and the parts will be able' toby-pass one another, thus transmitting the power proportionately to the wheels receiving, the greater and less tractive resistance.

Or when` the difference in the tractive resistance of the twowheels is great, the throw of the transmission members willl be great and the parts cannot by-pass thus transmitting all or nearly all the power to the Wheel receiving the most .effective transmission.

Referring to Figs. 18 to 22, I have shown a modification of my invention, which differs from the previously described forms in that the larger transmission members 35 and the smaller transmission members 36, equivalent to the transmission elements 2 and 3 previously described, arefformed as concave-convex discs arranged one over the other and bores'37 and 38.

The transverse member 39 also differs from the member f, previously described in that its ends 39a are cylindrical in cross section and the transmission members 35 and. 36 are mounted, one set over each of the said ends 39 in the eccentric bores 37 and 38, andthe be inner andv smaller transmission member 36 bea-rs against the bi-symmetrical flanges 39'* of the transverse member 39', as in the other forms of my invention. v

The other features of this modification are exactly the same as those previously described and the operation is identica invention4 is its simplicity and economy of manufacture, and' whilenot sostrongas the preferred form may be'advantageously used.

I claim: 1

1. In a differential mechanism ofthe char-v acter described, a divided driven casing, the casing lfarts provided with abutting comanion anges for assembly,'said compamon anges bored, bolts inserted in said 'boresy-be side to receive said annular y between said faces, annular eccentric elements the flange of one of said portions cut away between said bores, to expose the underlying surfaces of the companion fiange of the other casing part, and a ring gear secured to the last mentioned casing part by fastening elements inserted through said lexposed flange portions, whereby the case parts may be dissembled without disturbing the fastening of the said ring gear.

2; In a differential mechanism of the characterdescribed the combination of a divided driven case, each case part provided with a central opposite eye formed with an interior and exterior annular flange about the said eye, providing an internal and external extension of its journal bearing surface, and annular eccentric elements recessed on one flanges of the case parts. 3. In a differential mechanism of the character described a divided driven casing the .halvesthereof formed with registering eyes' to receive the, axle ends, interior and exterior flanges formed about Vthe said eye of eachcasing half, said fianges forming bearing surfaces, annular eccentric elements inserted, in said casing halves on the bearing surfaces of said flanges, and a transverse member fixed casing halves, said transverse member provided with lateral central segmental spherical surfaces having plane `sides formed with annular recesses, in which the inner ends of said eccentric elements 'are supported, `arcuate transmission members mounted over said spherical surfaces of the transverse member. d

4. Ina differential mechanism of the character described a divided driven casing the halves thereof formed with registering eyes to receive the axle ends', interior and exterior fian'ges formed about the said eye of each casing half, said flanges forming bearing surfaces, annular eccentric elements inserted in said casin halves and recessed res ectively in one en to receive said internal ffcnges of the casing halves,

tween said Icasing halves said transverse member provided with lateral central segcasing parts having Y alsA a transverse member fixed j mental spherical surfaceshaving plane sides v formed with annular recesses, in which the inner ends of said eccentric elements are supported, and arcuate transmission'members mounted over said spherical surfaces of the transverse member. The special advantage of this form of. my

- 5. In a differential mechanism of Ithe character described a divided driven casing .the

halves thereof formed with registering eyes to receive the axle ends,- nteriorand exterior 5 'flanges formedv about` the said -eye of each casing half, said fianges forming sur.

said casin halves and recessedre in one endg to receive said internal d anges of the'casing halves, a transverse member fixed tween said casing halvesdsaid vely.'

member provided with lateral central segmental spherical surfaces having plane sides formed with annular recesses, 1n which the inner ends of said eccentric elements are su'pported, arcuate transmission members mounted over said spherical surfaces of the transverse member, and concaVo-convex'bearing rings mounted on said annular eccentric elements and bearing against the sides of said arcuate transmission members.

FERDINAND W. SEECK. 

